ENGAGE ZESCO FOR “DEDICATED POWER LINES” AT WATER TREATMENT PLANTS WHICH ARE NOT LOADSHEDDED, COMMERCIAL WATER UTILITIES URGED

Chimwemwe Township, Chipata – 22nd December 2020

Minister of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Jonas Chanda has directed all the eleven (11) commercial water utility companies across the country to engage ZESCO so that they can be given dedicated Power Lines at water treatment plants which are not subjected to load shedding.

Dr. Chanda, says load shedding at water treatment plants has been affecting the pumping of water to residents.

Dr Chanda was speaking when he toured Chimwemwe township in Chipata where residents complained about the serious water shortages and sewerage challenges they are facing, and which are mostly caused by disruptions in pumping of water due to load-shedding at the water treatment plant.

He says the situation has also affected flushable toilets and blocked sewer lines.

The township also has old dilapidated water and sewer network infrastructure while boreholes which are supposed to supplement water supply are also dysfunctional.

The Minister has assured Chimwemwe residents that Government through his Ministry will help Eastern Water and Sanitation Company to pay up the balance amount of two hundred thousand kwacha (K200,000) to ZESCO by 16th December, 2020, so that a dedicated power line, is put up at Luntembwe Water Treatment Plant to avoid interruption of water supply.

Dr Chanda has also assured residents that the old dilapidated water and sewer pipes will be replaced in the upcoming Water Supply and Sanitation project, and has also directed Eastern Water and Sanitation Company and the provincial officer in charge of Water and Sanitation to rehabilitate the dysfunctional boreholes in the township.

Issued by:

Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Protection